Will ‘The Avengers’ Be Shot in 3D?

We’ve known for a long time that The Avengers would begin production early next year, before Thor and Captain America even have a chance to test audiences in theaters. The February start date was confirmed earlier this week and now it’s being reported that The Avengers will also be shot in 3D.

Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America are getting the post-conversion 3D treatment and we saw a glimpse of the early conversion work for Thor at the Marvel Studios Comic-Con presentation several weeks back. The idea of post-conversion 3D is unsettling but Marvel is promising that they will spend an unprecedented amount of time working on it for those two particular movies in post-production.

The info comes from Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, the very well-connected and in-the-know ex-Fox executive, and what’s interesting is that he specifically states that director Joss Whedon will be shooting the film in 3D as opposed to tacking it on afterwards. If this is accurate (he claims it’s a “done deal”), it’ll be a first for Whedon and for the studio but it does offer a sense of relief that Marvel will be putting forth something that’s legitimately in 3D.

Again, that’s a big if. The Avengers are coming in 3D and we can guarantee at least that much – the question is whether or not it’ll actually be shot that way as it will involve an entirely different approach to filmmaking, from the set designs to the cinematography.

It’s no surprise to see some sort of confirmation that Marvel Studios is pushing for higher ticket prices3D for their highly ambitious Avengers project since every other studio is milking the new format, most notably their prime competitor in Warner Bros. who have made it clear that going forward all of their summer blockbusters are going to be in 3D. Since the Harry Potter franchise is coming to an end, their next franchise of money makers will be coming from their DC Entertainment division which already has Green Lantern on track for post-conversion 3D.